Our friend Billy invited us to his house this past weekend. We've known Billy all our lives. Jilda once worked with his wife Nila at a dress shop. Their daughter Kaye was in Jilda's class a school from first grade on.
We've attended many Christmas parties at their house, but we knew going in that this year would be different. Billy lost Nila in February and this is the first Christmas without her.
His house was wall to wall people Saturday evening. Old friends that have stuck together through the years came to enjoy each other's company. We had a good time, but it was, to use an old cliche, bittersweet.
We all have our Christmas traditions. Families are living portraits, expanding and contracting through the years. When one person dies, the portrait changes forever.
Billy has a lot of support to help him through the holidays, but Christmas will never be the same for him or his family.
Note: The idea of changing traditions is the basis for my column next Sunday.
I'm sure this first Christmas without his wife will be extra tough. Lots of old friends as company will help.
Loss of a loved one is particularly painful at this time of year. So sorry for the loss of your friend.
How nice for Billy to have a group of friends to support him. He will still have a rough time but his friends will make it a little easier.
My condolences on the lost of a close friend. Loosing a life long partner is very difficult and the adjustment that follow is also a very difficult journey and especially at this time of year. Having the support of friends at this difficult time will be a lot of help for your friend.
Sooner or later we all loose someone we love and it's never the same after that. Something has to change every time as it leaves a void.
I was just going to read over the posts, but this one hits me where it hurts. Sherry, like you guys, Billy & Nila lived in one area all her life and has friends from even before school. My family moved around so there is not the ROOTS of friendship you so dearly write about here. I have missed a lot in that area of my life. I share with Sherry of course, but not the depth you guys who have lived it do.
Of course the situation Billy finds himself in, is not new to me, but as I tell my sister, I cannot imagine how it must be for the surviving spouse to lose their LOVER!
Great post here Rick, good heart-touching stuff (you are good at that!).